We are following the proposed marketing tax in Rogers City closely to see how the community reacts to it.

The special assessment (which does not need voter approval) would cost a homeowner with a $100,000 home in the city about $30 a year, according to Mayor Scott McLennan at a recent meeting.

The assessment would be used to help fund a Main Street Project through the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Main Street projects can be quite a boost for a community’s downtown. We have seen them be a catalyst to new business and growth elsewhere, and we would expect the potential in Rogers City would be much the same.

Already going for Rogers City’s downtown is its close proximity to Lake Huron and several unique “niche” businesses.

As city officials contemplate the merits of proceeding with the special assessment, they need to keep in mind that, while marketing often means appealing to those living elsewhere, we have found the most important group of people who first need convinced are a community’s own residents.

It is those people — local residents — who will either make or break a visitor’s first impression of a location.

We look forward to learning more details about this proposal in the months ahead.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)